Review by iminmyshop | posted 11-28-2014 03:04 AM | 4181 views | 5 times favorited | 7 comments | ![]() |
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- Other Project: EVS auto cycling Kit + 5.5 CFM Vacuum Pump
- Brand: Other | Category: Other
There are many different kinds of vacuum presses. Wading through which you need can be daunting. Buying a vacuum system can also be costly. I went with the EVS Project at http://www.veneersupplies.com/pages/DIY__Vacuum__Press.html. These pumps require putting some parts together and some very simple wiring. I had never done this sort of thing. I’m a woodworker, not an electrician and had no idea what a manifold was. But everything I read about the company from its customers was very positive. In return for doing some of the work putting it together yourself you get a high quality vacuum system at less than half the price. It turns out, it was also a fun project to do.
You can go with several alternatives. The plans are free and you can supply your own parts. You can buy individual parts from Joe or you can get all the parts together in kit form from Joe. You can use your own pump or buy one from Joe.
A chart describes the different pumps that are available from his site: http://www.joewoodworker.com/docs/vacuumpresschart.pdf. To give myself some latitude in what kinds of projects I can do down the road I went with the somewhat more powerful 5.5 CFM Vacuum Pump. Not knowing anything about pumps I got mine along with the kit from Joe.
The order arrived within a couple of days. The parts are of very high quality, the instructions including clear photographs, drawings and written explanations are clear and easy to read and follow. The support is second to none. When I had a question, Joe responded almost immediately. Sometimes I had to wait a few hours. When I found a part that was missing, Joe sent it out immediately by priority mail. The carrier I made was from some old banged up shelving of walnut veneered plywood that has been laying around forever. It finally found a home. With a couple of coats of shellac it looks better too.
The pump worked fine from day one (no system leaks) and is relatively quiet. The pump created the vacuum very rapidly which is great since sometimes you have to hold things in place until the vacuum is complete. Also, waiting around for a vacuum to be created while glue is starting to set up is no fun. It’s a game of beat the clock that I don’t like to play. As noted in the instructions, the pump cycles on every 15 minutes or so for 10 – 15 seconds.
So far, count me a happy customer.
-- http://www.alansfinewoodworking.com/
7 comments so far
scott0317
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58 posts in 2422 days
#1 posted 11-28-2014 04:48 PM
Thanks for the detailed write up. I have saved this and hope to build very soon myself.
-- I've almost got all the tools I need, almost.
Mainiac Matt
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9755 posts in 3295 days
#2 posted 11-28-2014 07:44 PM
looks like a handy set up…. love to see people make their own tools
-- Matt -- I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam
Ken90712
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17919 posts in 4155 days
#3 posted 11-29-2014 01:40 AM
I buy all my veneer from him, great guy and will always deal with him. The info he provides on making your own Vacuum Machine is invaluable. A+
Great job on yours… Very nice machine
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
SteveMI
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1167 posts in 4261 days
#4 posted 12-03-2014 01:34 AM
I made the same one. Mine uses the Gast 1.1 pump and performs just fine. Have gone up to a 24” x 36” poly bag with no problem.
His veneer is great and service is awesome.
Steve.
playingwithmywood
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444 posts in 2563 days
#5 posted 12-03-2014 06:30 AM
I finished one also the other week also
I built mine on top of this
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-61615.html
tossed the pump and motor and kept the tank cord and switch to use on my build plus this way I got the built in feet
also the vacuum controller was able to screw it directly into the tank
DanielWatsons
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1 post in 54 days
#6 posted 11-24-2020 04:13 PM
Sounds like a great vacuum I have tossed the pump and motor and kept the tank cord and switch to use on my build plus this way I got the built in feet. This might be of a great help for my concrete pumping job. Thanks for the input.
—Daniel
iminmyshop
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357 posts in 2960 days
#7 posted 11-24-2020 05:02 PM
Update – 6 years later and I still use the pump and it still works really well. When I’ve purchased other things from their site, the service remains far above the rest in response time and helpfulness. On a scale of 0-10 they get an 11.
-- http://www.alansfinewoodworking.com/
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